In the Ring

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1923, Page 19

In the Ring

WIN FOR VOLAIRE

BLAOKBURN NEEDS EXPERIENCE

FAIRHALL FOR SYDNEY.

(By "Mile")

His firat victory since bis arrival from tho Commonwealth was secured by the popular little Frenchman, Eugene Volaire, at the Town Hall on Tuesday, when he outpointed the aggressive Auckland boy, Clarrie Blackburn, after fifteen rounds of hard fighting. Some months ago, the pair met over twenty rounds in Australia, when they divided honours, and as since then Blackburn, has gained valuable experience in hardfought contests with Paul Demsky, Lea Murray, and Tommy Fairhall, lfc was anticipated that he would have a good chance of beating Volaire, who,' having reached the zenith of his fighting form, would not have improved to any noticeable extent. However, greater experience and ringmanship stood by the Frenchman, who gained a popular and an undisputed decision. The actual fight was full of interest, a,nd > although mostly at close quarters, the men did not "hold" to any noticeable extent, and gave a good exhibition of what in-fighting actually is. Blackburn almost met disaeter in the tenth round when he took a hard smash to the body which took away his wind and, doubling up in evident pain, it Beemed that he was about to collapse. Cries of "foul" came from some of the members of the audience who were not in a position to see actually what did occur, but with his customary quicknes of decision, Referee Earl Stewart ordered the men to "box on," which, after shaking hands, they did without further ado. From then onwards, Blackburn was obliged to remain mostly on the defensive, and although he fought back well, honours were always with the Frenchman. Interviewed after the bout, Blackburn had no fault to find with the actual decision, though he was firmly of the opinion that the punch to the body in round ten was a foul. His trainer, Charlie Peoples, mentioned that the Auckland boy was badly troubled by his nose, which was recently broken by Tommy Fairhall, and it is Blackburn's intention to now have the ''njured organ properly attended to. It is now quite on the cards that Trainer Ike Kutner will be called upon to prepare his charge, the clever little Fren.-ti-.aan, for a fixture at Napier this month with the American, Harry Stone. Paul Denißky" again failed to make good in Australia on Saturday, when he was easily out-pointed by the Belgian visitor, Louis Pleese. Demsky was on the floor five times during twenty rounds, and from the meagre details to hand evidently was not in the picture. •

At the Town Hall on Tuesday evening C. M'Rae, the. big Wellington policeman, with two stone in weight and -nearly a foot in height on H. M'Cormick, went down in a six-round oout to the smaller man, who, by the way, is the holder of the Dominion amateur heavyweight title. Prior to the fight, M'Cormick had very few supporters, and when the boxers were introduced to the audience and could be physically compared, his stock dropped still further, many ringsiders averring that it was "no match at all." The battle opened rather quietly, but M'Cormick soon settled down to hi 6 task, and, welladvised from his corner, commenced to force the pace, connecting freely with heavy right swings to the jaw. M'Rae, as would be expected, administered punishment freely, but he never failed to telegraph his blows, and his general (Jisplay was disappointing. Little science wa6 displayed by either man, but M'Cormick's gameness and persistence of attack gained for him the verdict of the judges, Messrs. J. Russell and H. L. Young. M'Eae weighed in at 14st 71b.

A very promising featherweight has been produced by Denny Murphy in J. Gurry, who, after having had only three months 1 tuition, succeeded last week in out-pointing the Blenheim idol, P. Vercoe. Gurry was called on •to substitute for loba* against M'Arthur on Tuesday, and this he did so effectively that Harry Barlow's boy did not manage to survive the first round. As he came in, Gurry propped him off with a stiff straight left, and then crossed him hard to the chin, sending him in a heap to the floor, where he remained for the count. 'It was rather a pity that the bout ended so suddenly, as the "fajis" had little or no opportunity of' seeing actually how good the latest "find" really is, but it is hoped that much more of him will be heard and. se^n in the near future. He certainly is a ai-edit to the Herbert street school. • -

At last the efforts of' Big Jim Tracyhave met with some success, the latest advice from Vancouver being to the effect that he recently outpointed Fred Welsh, of U.S.A., over a six rounds' journey. Aiter leaving Auckland nearly two years ago, Tracy headed for the States, where much boom and publicity brought several important engagements his way. Each of the leading heavyweights knocked him over in turn until he finally decided that preliminary boxing was more in his line, and hence the victory mentioned. Whether Tracy is stubborn, game, or merely "thick-skinned," is a debatable point, but in any case, his win was well deserved.

'Billy Pearce. brother of that splendid little fellow, Cliff Pearce, made his debut as pugilist at the Town Hall on Tuesday, when he put up a great battle against the North Island bantamweight champion, Hark Carroll.. In his usual confident style, Carroll stepped in at the opening gong, punching with left and right, but Pearce cleverly slipped away, and, swinging forward again, shot a nice uppercut to the chin. This made the title-holder careful, but Carroll still maintained a strong attack, using left and right fßst and often. On the ropes, Pearce showed outstanding cleverness, slipping, side-stepping, and decking with the confidence of a. veteran. Carroll gained the decision by the narrowest of margins, and a return match between the pair will be awaited (with interest. Pearce • showed himself tO be a fine two-handed boxar, • and one who lacks nothing in gameness. It is with regret, that "Milo" chronicles yet another ring tragedy, the death in Melbourne of Sailor Jack Dunstan, who was knocked down several times by Max Gornik, finally being counted out in the eighteenth round. Sustaining concussion, he was taken to the hospital and died within a short time of his admission. While Referee Earl Stewart is officiating in Wellington, there is little likelihood of such a happening as he has always shown splendid judgment in saving a beaten.man from being battered into unconsciousness, e.g the recent Fairhall-Finnie disturbance. at ? et?2 ej „.A q£ftion waa asked. "wa* he justified? The answer is too obvious for mention.

Teddy Priestley is a hard-hitting ban-tam-weight, who certainly can fight ™'". the spirit moves him, and the Wellington Association would do well to Beoure the services of this promising boy, ,wis> jvpuld. gut U£ a^reat battle against

any of the local boys in his class. He has competed with fair mccees under the Blenheim Association, and, in fact, wag billed to take part in the recent tournament promoted by this body. After a brief but very busy_ sojourn of four months in tie Dominion, the brilliant Australian lightweight, Tommy. Fairhall, left by the Marama yesterday for Sydney to serve ih» treble purpose of answering a business call, giving hi* injured jaw a, chance to strengthen, and generally enjoying a well-earned respite from the ring. For a month after his arrival in New Zealand, Fairhall trained hard and consistently until the Hutt Valley Association finally matched him with the Hastings boy, Paul Hannah, whom the Australian stopped is. sis rounds. His fellow-countryman, Freddy Smith, was the next unfortunate to feel the weight of Fan-hall's right hand, and he hit the boards for the count, halfway through the third round. Lea Murray at this stage reconsidered his •decision to meet the invader only if he made the lightweight limit, and agreed to take the ring with him at his favourite poundage, 9st 121b. Although by no means m the best of health, and, in fact, while still receivng medical attention as result of a severe chill contracted on the journey to the South, FairhalT beat the New Zealander so decisively that even Murray's most ardent supporters could not but admit his -undoubted superiority. Then came that plucky boy, CJarrie Blackburn,' whom Fairhall avers gave him the hardest battle of any_in which he took part in the Dominion. The boys stood toe to toe and 1 exchanged punches during- twelve thrilling rounds, which had the Greymouth enthusiasts cheering uncontrollably. The-' Auckland boy was badly punished, sustaining a broken nose, inter alia, but he clung gamely to his task, refusing to quit while he was yet able to hold up his gloves, and it was only when he was absolutely incapable of • resistance that a halt was called. By this time Eugene Volaire had forsaken Broken Hill and'had arrived in Wellington, prepared to eros gloves with all and sun"dry. To suit.the Frenchman, Fairhall foolishly worked himself down to 9st 81b, but in spite of this secured the honours. Jack Finney made an honest endeavour to give the fans a fight worth watching, but only four rounds had elaped before Fairhall, reducing his opponent to a, state of groggy helplessiues, was prevented by the referee from sending the already beaten fighter to the canvas. The return match with Eugene Volaire. was Fairhall's last engagement in New Zealand, but, unfortunately,; altho.ugh he easily outpointed his opponent. Volaire caught him on his injured 1 jaw.and in no way improved the condition of this, hurt, which was sustained, partly through the untimely appearance of a belated wisdom tooth, just prior. to his bout with Finnw. Acting on medical advice, Fairhall decided to have a .short rest from the game and hence his rather hurried departure. Seven victories in seven contests! Surely a. meritorious achievement, and one of which any man might justly feel proud. Even Hugliic? Dwyer was beaten: while in the JDominion, and it seems that Fairhall is the only boxer who has visited the country and competed with such outstanding su<>cess. Very much he owes to his popular' trainer, Jack Donnelly, who has certainly been his making as a (classy boxer. He showed the Australian boy the benefit which he would derive from the practice of "boxing with a punch." Dp'rinelly has always trained his protege along- proper lines, putting him in the ring at a suitable weight and in splendid condition, so that to him a' proportion of credit is due for the splendid judgment, he.has shown. Unrecognised before he came to Maoriland, Fairhall, on his return, should be in great demand, and is certainly, in line for a chance at the championship. On present indications he proposes to again visit New Zealand in January, but it is quite on the cards that big stadium engagements will come his way and induce him to remain on the other side of the Tnsman. Before his departure yesterday, he called at "The Post," and expressed his thanks and appreciation of the general good treatment he had received at the hands or Jlaorilanders. He informed "Milo" that his stay had betre particularly pleasant in all respects, and he paid a high tribute to the consideration he had always received from the Press. He hoped to be back in New Zealand in the New Year, when ■ he would renew acquaintance with his many friends and supporters. .

The Australian welterweight, ,Tom Rigby, was ,-present at the BkckbuniVolaire match on Tuesday, and on the following day. he informed, "Milo" that he was quite prepared to box either of these men, or, in fact, any other fighter whose weight does not exceed 10st 71b. Rigby was disappointed with the result of his recent bout at Blenheim with Carl Callowav, who won on a foul in the second round through being struck on the ]aw by the other man's forearm. The blow was generally recognised to be quite unintentional, but, of course, the referee, Mr. Blauchard, had little option but to declare in favour of Cailoway. However, a return match between this pair would draw a good house in any town. Rigby has done' a great deal for the advancement of boxing in Blenheim, where he has a school of over seventy pupils. He has a good Australian record, having boxed twenty hard rounds ■with Harry Stone, who was awarded thedecision on points.

Australian George Cook seems to have struck form again, as he defeated the burly Irishman, Dave M'Gill, qn Tuesday last. The bout went to a decision after the full fifteen rounds.

All the many New Zealand enthusiasts who were acquainted with Australian Mick Rutherford will learn with regret that through the most trifling of ac.cidents he has lost a leg. Ruth erf ord, it will be remembered, was in Dominion at the same time as George Cook, Tommy Uren, Jimmy Clabby, Havelah Uren, Digger Evans, Ben Tracy, and company, and competed with fair success against the leading men in his class. However, upon his return to the Commonwealth he was offered and accepted a post as naval boxing instructor, ant! it was while he was " putting through " one of the bluejackets that ho jarred liis heel rather badly. He gave little thought, to the injury, feeling sure that.it vauld right itself within a' coaple of days. buj the pain increased, and finally he r»ported to the medical officer an board !«'s vessel. The latter placed him }n hospital, and it was then found that a bone had become septic, and amputation of the limb was necessary jo save the poor fellow s life. It is suggested by " Solar Plexus m " Fairplay " that something might be done for Rutherford in the wav of a benefit, whereby sufficient money could be raised to finance him in a tobacconist business somewhere handy to where bluejackets congregate, men who would willingly assist one who was so popular among them.

The hard-hittingn negro pugilist, Kid Norfolk, has posted a guarantee of five thousand dollars to meet the light-heavy-weight champion of the world, alike M'Tigue.- In case thafM'Tigue may attempt to ■ stave off possible defeat' by drawing the. colour-line, Norfolk points out that the Irishman won his championship from the Senegalese. Battling Siki, and cannot therefore attempt to bar -any other coloured man from com* peting for the title.